During the last week I have completed 6 shifts at London 2012 host venue of Old Trafford in my secondary role in Uniform Distribution. The week started very well meeting lots of new gamesmakers who were doing the same role and those who were working else where at the venue the last group of games maker I met were everyone collecting their uniform in readiness for their first shift. A number of roles need to be carriedout in the department and each of us had a n opportunity to experience each of them. All gamesmakers collecting there uniform was required to obtain their games time accerditaion at VAHO ( Venue accreditation help office). Nice they had this they could gain access to uniforms and let past our security guard, Mark, supplied by the football club. Firstly they would have the bar code on the acceridation scanned and the advised if they had to have a full fitting of we're picking up a man pack (manually packed for the p.c. Amongst you) or they needed a full fitting in the fitting rooms. There are only two fitting rooms with no mirrors to speed up the process, the theory being that if it feels comfortable then it should look good. Once all fitting was complete or man pack collected then a quick scan through checkout and the gamesmakers were on their way. Issued with a cap, water bottle, uniform care guide, pocket book, pen, bag, 2 polo shirts, 1 jacket, 2 pairs of trousers, 2 pairs of socks, 1 pair of very nice trainers, and a gamesmaker Swatch watch which came as a surprise to most. As each day passed the department became quieter and quieter until a very busy Saturday ( my day off). On Friday I had an opportunity to work in VAHO as they were very busy and u informs was quiet. Although I wasn't trusted with the computer system and the authorisation of the accreditation I did work along side the other gamesmaker doing these duties and along side UK Border Agency who were on hand to check the eligibility of the Foreign Nationals who had turned up to work with contractors such as G4S or other paid work. A number of staff were turned away as they were not approved to work. Every person I had the pleasure of meeting with were all a delight to deal with and the team of gamesmakers I worked along side were out of this world. I came away with heart warming stories of games makers offering places to stay during their shifts and one girl getting a job thru a meeting with a fellow gamesmaker. I had the benefit if meeting a gamesmaker who lives not far from me and has offere me a lift to the games which will save on travel expense as well as travelling alone. I now have a weeks wait until my next shift at one of the teams hotels, can't say where though :-(

Staffing Support

While Steve has been more than busy dealing with uniforms and accreditation for fellow Gamesmakers at Old Trafford, I have been twiddling my thumbs waiting for my accreditation/uniform and venue specific training.

4th July and I receive an email asking if I wished to be considered for Staffing Support Operations. Let me think about that for a minute........yep, course I do!! So I had to complete a brief statement to say why I would be suitable for the role and press 'send'.

A 2 week wait and I have found out that I have been accepted! I'm absolutely over the moon about this.

The role entails supporting the Staffing manager and fellow gamesmakers on the Last Mile team. I will be checking in Staff, distributing equipment and supporting the Wayfinders as necessary. The downside is that there will be early starts and late finishes and my shift roster will change. But this is a great role and opportunity so when I have to get up at 3am, I won't be moaning too much ;-)

If you need any sun screen, water, radios etc then I'm your man!!

Role & Venue specific Training in one weekend

Steve has had a very enjoyable and informative weekend completing RST and VST at Old Trafford. First was the uniform distribution training in the main Concourse of the Old Trafford stadium where a group of ten were given a very thorough run though of the role and all the types of question we may get asked. Included was a session on using the radios at Olympic venues. Getting our hands on the uniform for the first time was very exciting with a small surprise of having a Swatch watch with games Maker printed around the strap. The following day (Saturday) was VST which included a presentation on more critical information and a tour of the ground where key LOCOG personel delivered specific information in some areas of the stadium. Following a coffee break all the Functional Areas split and had some Role training, some were required to stay the full day fortunately I was only there for half the day. We were issued with a comprehensive doping control manual which needs reading and digesting prior to games time and exchanged some critical role and personal information. Tomorrow will be my first shift as a Gamesmaker at Old Trafford issuing uniform and enjoying my time with some fantastic like minded Gamesmakers. See you at games time.

It's all happening for Gamesmakers.

Steve and I are bracing ourselves for a busy few weeks. Whilst busy wrapping everything up at work, we have had dates and times for our Olympic accreditation and uniform collection. Steve will soon be at work issuing the kit at Old Trafford and also carry out his venue specific training oop North too.

Last Wednesday I popped down to a very hot and humid Hackney college to receive a bit more info regarding the role of a Last Mile Wayfinder. It was quite a busy session with about 70 gamesmakers in attendance. The two presenters delivered a very light hearted and enjoyable session. If you've not been to an RST event yet, make sure you can spell your name using sign language (hint, hint).

The Hackney Community College RST Centre.

August is going to be a busy month for me as I have to go to UDAC to collect accreditation and uniform on one day. Two weeks later its time for venue specific training at the Copperbox in Olympic Park.

Hot off the press is that I have been asked to submit a request to join the Support Operations team, which is designed to support the Wayfinding team in the important role on the 'Last Mile'. Consider the email sent, fingers crossed, I'll get a chance to take part in that team.

Thats all for now, we'll post more info as we get it.

Ian

Torch Relay in Shropshire

As the Olympic Torch Relay moves back into Sunny Shropshire, the Big Screen at Telford College is showing the relay as it passes through. It will visit Oswestry, the County town of Shrewsbury and the picturesque Cressage. From there it passes through the lovely village of Much Wenlock which was the origin of the modern Olympic games as we now know it (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18252601) From there hundreds are expected to welcome the flame along the roads through Broseley, Benthall and to the Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, where the historic Ironbridge spans the River Severn.

We have been fortunate to have been blessed with some gorgeous weather and thousands lined the route as it passed through this beautiful county. Our students at TCAT have been able to watch and get updates on the torch relay as it travels through the country on the many widescreen TV's we have installed in the College Rendezvous area.

I think that now the whole country is realising that we are the hosts for this event and it is going to be a brilliant spectacle. We've even got the Queens Jubilee celebrations this weekend as another reason to celebrate this very special year.

I don't know about you but I'm getting more excited by the minute!!

Regards,

Ian

Olympic Torch Route

To get our students in the mood for the Olympics, TCAT is now showing the BBC Torch Cam on a couple of wide screen TV's within the College's student Rendezvous area. No doubt it'll go on the massive multi screen when the torch comes to Sunny Shropshire as it winds it's way through Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Telford & Newport. Not forgetting Much Wenlock of course, where the Modern Olympics started all those years ago.

You too can follow the Olympic flame around Britain by clicking on the link  http://www.bbc.co.uk/2012/

It's quite addictive viewing in a strange way!!

The Torch Route through part of Shropshire.

Gamesmaker RST

News hot off the press.......an email has landed in my inbox regarding Role Specific Training for Last Mile Ops down in Hackney for either the 26th or 27th June. I'll be seeing most of you early morning on the train going south.

Ian

Gamesmaker Shifts

Well it's been a while since any updates and we've got a bit more news to add.
Both Steve and I have been allocated some shifts. Steve has been allocated shifts as an anti-doping chaperone at the Olympics football tournament based at Manchester Uniteds' Old Trafford stadium and he is also involved in Uniform Distribution.

I have been allocated 10 shifts working as a wayfinder in the events services team in the 'Last Mile' within the Olympic Park during the Paralympics.

Whilst we have both applied to work in both the Olympics and Paralympics, at present we have only had confirmation of the above shifts. We're still waiting for further training and and the all important Gamesmaker Uniforms. Steve, if you get the chance, I could do with a couple of extra pairs of socks :-)

Regards for now,

Ian

Wheelchair basketball at TCAT.

In preparation for the Paralympic games, TCAT provided an excellent facility for the latest round in the Wheelchair Basketball Super League. This was a preliminary round for the Euro League and saw the RGK TCAT Rhinos as the hosts for the two day event.
I went along to watch a couple of rounds with my daughter and her boyfriend. What an amazing sport! The game can be quite physical, it's fast, furious and the skill and team work of the players is something to behold. The players vision and ball handling skills are superb. This sport will definitely be one to watch on the old telly box this summer. I for one will be watching this with interest.
How much does it cost to spectate? Absolutely nothing - simply register on the Rhinos website for free tickets. How good is that?!

http://www.rhinoseuroleague.com/

I'll be along again to watch this - have I said its a brilliant sport already?

Uniform Distribution

Latest news to hit Steve's inbox was a questionnaire asking for availability to issue uniform and accreditation to games makers at Manchester for the football.

Training and the role begins early in July. Is there no end to this mans talents. Chaperoning and issuing uniforms. Which side do you dress sir ;-)

Wembley Training

Well up early for the Orientation training at Wembley Arena yesterday. Slight change of plan when I missed my first bus and had to hot foot it back home to get the car out and drive up to the train station. Only just managed to get on the train on time for the trip to Wembley.
The event coincided with the Big Brother interviews.......which one should I go to??!
Now I've not been to London for a long time (1990) and this was all going to be new to me. Thankfully all the trains hit their timetables and I landed nice and early at Wembley Stadium Station. I chanced to meet with 2 prospective Gamesmakers, Francis and Farnaz from Belfast and East Ham respectively. It just shows how committed the Gamesmakers are, people I spoke to came from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Hereford, Worcester and the Home Counties. Respect to all you folks who travelled in from afar.

Spent some time walking around the impressive Wembley Stadium. Strewth it was chilly and windy. This is one hell of a stadium and an excellent facility for sport. Spent a little time with Sir Bobby Moore. It's a bit mad that the flag is not fluttering in this pic as the breeze was blowing folks over.

Being as I had arrived a little early, it gave me time to meet other like minded fools (you are all loonies by the way) grab a brew from the catering van and ponder on what we were going to do.
At around 13:30, we were let in to the Wembley Arena. The queue snaked through very quickly thanks to the efficiency of the Arena staff. I grabbed the opportunity to buy a bit of olympic merchandise and grab a slack handfull of the choccies that were made available to us.
The Arena filled up quite quickly and soon we met our presenter. John Inverdale was the main host, and very good he was too, even managed to get a Fenton/Benton joke in. He was joined by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (11 times Paralympic gold medallist) on stage. She looked stunned by the whole experience as thousands welcomed her to the Arena. Funnily she span around taking pics of all us lot! I sent her a tweet @Tanni_GT , and was pleased to see she replied to me, saying how amazed  she was by the reception she had as she came onto centre stage. What an inspiration that lady is to all Olympians and volunteers.
Here is what the packed Wembley Arena looked like with 2 minutes to go to the start of the training....

We were given the chance to see what the volunteer uniform would look like in the flesh. The colours will take a bit of getting used too - we will stand out! At least they look practical and some additional thought has gone into the Olympic/Paralympic logos which is pretty nifty.
We all received a workbook which is where we will record and review our training, with the additional CD and a section to save our memories.

My memories of this event are how committed every one is to make the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics the best ever, from the volunteers to past and present athletes and celebrities alike.

Bring on round 2 of the training!!

Regards, Ian.

Congratulations are in order!

Great news today. Steve has finally heard that he has been chosen as a chaperone in the anti doping team. After a long wait he has discovered that he has successfully passed the training. He will be based at Old Trafford for the football. Well done!
Another update is that I am off to Wembley arena this Saturday for the first round of my training for the Paralympics, orientation training with several thousand volunteers! Early start and a long day. Still it will be worth it ;)

Volunteering update for the Paralympic games.

A few emails have been flying around today. Ian has found out that he will be a "Wayfinder Team Member" looking after any people who need any information, advice and guidance on the final journey (the Last Mile) to the stadiums in Olympic Park. This is a fantastic role, as Ian will be amongst many volunteers at the Paralympic Games looking after spectators and visitors needs. Ian will be the big, balding guy who will guide you on your way safely and to the correct destination.

He's off to do an Orientation Training Event at Wembley very soon. Can't wait for it!!

Anybody else doing similar?

Regards,

Ian & Steve

Happy New Year! Let the Games Commence!

Great news now, I have been selected as a "Wayfinder" for the Paralympic Games based at the Olympic Park. I haven't been to the capital for a few years now so will probably need to get in touch with a local wayfinder as I will get lost!!

I thought that I had been forgotten but received the email on 5th Jauary confirming my position. As I have also volunteered for the Olympic Games as well, I may also be in with a chance to get involved with that too.
Steve has his training for the Anti Doping team this week and is really looking forward to it. I'll post up a new message regarding that as soon as we know more. He still doesn't know where he will be based yet.....it's all cloak and dagger stuff in that section.

Have any other volunteers looked at accommodation yet for Olympics/Paralympics? I have made a few initial enquiries and it looks like everyone with a room to rent has upped their rates by at least 20 fold. I think I might get a cheap tent! Or call on a few old friends and relatives for a spot of sofa surfing.

Please comment or pass the blog address on to your friends, relatives, loved ones etc as we will endeavour to post up more frequent posts as we find out further info.

Best Regards,

Ian and Steve